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Shadows of Athens

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Shadows of Athens

By: JM Alvey
Narrated by: Gavin Osborne
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About this listen

443 BC and after decades of war with Persia, peace has finally come to Athens. The city is being rebuilt, and commerce and culture are flourishing.

Aspiring playwright Philocles has come home to find a man with his throat cut slumped against his front gate. Is it just a robbery gone wrong? But, if so, why didn't the thieves take the dead man's valuables? With the play that could make his name just days away, he must find out who this man is, why he has been murdered - and why the corpse was left in his doorway.

But Philocles soon realises he has been caught up in something far bigger, and there are those who don't want him looking any further....

©2019 JM Alvey (P)2019 Orion Publishing Group Ltd Amateur Sleuths Crime Fiction Detective Historical Mystery Fiction

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Scorpions in Corinth By: JM Alvey
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The story was okay, if a little slow-moving. I did wonder in parts what the actual crime under investigation actually was. My biggest problem with it was the swearing. I doubt whether s**t and f**k were used in ancient Greece and to use them here is out of place and totally gratuitous. Why authors writing historical fiction feel the need to incorporate modern profanity is beyond me. It doesn't add to the story in any way, and only detracts from one's enjoyment. If it was swearing I wanted to hear, I would read contemporary fiction.

Ruined by Profanity

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You'll like this. Maybe not as funny but plenty of historical background, good characters and story. Would certainly read the next one.

If you like Lindsay Davis

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This was a fun read from start to finish. I loved the pictures it painted and the story that unfolded. I didn't think ancient Greek intrigue was something I could get into but I have. I've now ordered the next one. The delivery of Gavin Osborn is also rather good.

Loved it. Very adddictive

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I bought this because of a recommendation that said it was like the Lindsey Davis Falco series and because I am getting a bit desperate for well written, historically accurate series of books that I can get my teeth into. I really wanted to like this book, so much so that I tried listening to it multiple times but with each session I became frustratingly bored at the storyline, the lack of nuanced characters and the lack lustre enviroment and am returning it so I can purchase one of the SPQR books instead.

Don't be put off from trying it out, for me at least, it just didn't have enough to hold my interest but if you like mysteries set in ancient Greek times give it a go.

Good narrator but average storyline

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